Nelson is one of the communities targeted by the outreach program of the Men’s Shed Association of BC (MSABC) for a new location.

The organization, which was registered as a non-profit in 2017, is aiming to start up ten new sheds across the province. MSABC reached out to Nelson through a Facebook post and received several replies from men interested in starting a shed.

Funding for Men's Sheds is primarily done by members but there are grants available to help. In some instances, municipalities have contributed as well.

The most common practices at Men’s Sheds are working with your hands and sharing and borrowing tools but a Men’s Shed can be anything the members want it to be. The only requirement is there are at least two men meeting regularly to make a connection.

“It’s really all about men’s health. It’s a journey, a culture, an ethos," Mike Jennings, president of MSABC says. "A Men’s Shed is a place where men can belong.”

There are over 40 Men’s Sheds in BC, including the Kootenay Lake East Shore Shed in Riondel. Members of the Kootenay Lake East Shore Shed will host a meeting in Nelson at the end of November to help start a Men’s Shed.

Jennings joined CJLY to discuss Men’s Sheds, MSABC and their outreach program. Listen to the story below: